There are so many ‘must-do’ experiences that you’ll naturally come across as you backpack in New Zealand that might not necessarily appear on your typical itinerary, but they’re equally as amazing as those that would. Experiences like getting invited to a BBQ by a local to enjoy Kiwi hospitality and our world-famous lamb, taking in a local band (look out for Shapeshifter, Fat Freddy’s Drop or if you’re lucky, Lorde), watching an All Blacks game, or learning the Haka are all memories that you’ll never forget from your time in NZ!

But of course, backpacking through New Zealand is also about seeing our epic landscapes and getting stuck into our amazing adventures. To help you out with this, below are some top activities to make sure you include in your itinerary.

Crafting the ultimate day

For inspiration on how to play more every day in New Zealand, check out our suggested one day itineraries below. From diving to rafting, bungy jumping and snowboarding, they’ll show you just how many epic experiences you can cram into a single day.